All About Live Dealer Baccarat

Fearsome and formidable, the profile of Live Dealer Baccarat is on the rise in Ireland and in many other parts of the world. It is one of the easiest, most satisfying games you can play, and, as millions of players are discovering, it can also be one of the most rewarding.

It was created sometime between the 15th and 18th centuries, and traditionally has been a favourite choice of high rollers, celebrities, and, in some places, even royalty. Ian Fleming mentioned it in his James Bond novels, where he named it as 007’s favourite game. A few decades ago, it was introduced to Macau, and that changed everything. Asia’s gambling capital added a few tweaks to the game, and it worked so well that, in 2017, more than 88% of the $33.2 billion made by the city’s casinos was generated by the game. The best way for you to experience its magic and mystery is to play it with trained, professional dealers at a recommended online casino. Let’s take a closer look at how to play it.

Versions and Variations

A variation known as Punto Banco is at the core of the Live Dealer Baccarat games you can play at the sites we recommend for Irish players. The most important elements of the variation are that the house banks at all times, and that the dealer plays out both hands on the table according to strict rules that determine when each hand draws cards.

This basically means that, once you have placed your bet, all you need to do is sit back and watch the round play out, which is usually done in less than a minute. That said, providers such as Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, and others have created live casino games of Punto Banco that add to the suspense, let players get involved in the reveal of the winning hand, or speed up the action.

One of the most popular elements to be included is known as the Squeeze. Introduced to the game in Macau, it is a dramatically slow, almost-ritualised reveal of the winning hand. If you play Control Squeeze games, you can use the software to perform the Squeeze yourself.

Playing the Game

Games such as Blackjack and some Poker variants get players involved by letting them decide what moves to make, but that is not the case in Live Dealer Baccarat. When you play it, the only decision you get to make is what bet to place.

There are 3 different bets from which to choose. The first is to bet that the hand known as the Player or Punto will win. The second is that the Banker or Banco hand will win. The third is that the hands will tie. A hand needs a total of 9 points, or as close as possible to 9 points, to win.

The live casino games dealer will deal the cards once you have made your choice. 2 cards are dealt to each hand. When it comes to making moves, those are determined by the rules. If the Player’s total is 5 points or less, it hits, which means the dealer deals a third card to it. If the total is 6 or 7, it stands, and does not receive another card.

The rules that determine the moves made by the Banker hand are slightly different. If the Player stood, the Banker follows the same rule of hitting on a total of 5 or less. However, if the Player hit, the Banker may or may not hit. This is dictated by not only the Banker’s initial score, but also by the value of the Player’s third card. When any necessary moves have been made, the dealer will reveal the winner.

Payouts and Roads

Ease of play and high drama are not the only reason Live Dealer Baccarat has experienced a surge of popularity at many a casino online and offline in Ireland and elsewhere. Players have also realised that it can be unbelievably generous.

A winning bet on the Player pays even money, whereas a winning bet on the Banker pays even money less a 5% commission. A winning tie bet pays out 8:1. Whichever bet you place, if it wins, the payout is good.

Given that the moves are determined by the rules, Baccarat is not one of the live casino games in which strategy can be used. However, there are tools that, like the Squeeze, were devised in Macau, and can help you decide how to bet. Those tools are known as roads. The Big Road is a record of the results of the shoe of cards. The Big Eye, Cockroach, and Small Roads are derived from the Big Road, and reflect the trends of the shoe.

Experience the thrills, the suspense, and the rewarding action of Baccarat for yourself. Play it with real dealers at an online casino recommended for Irish players by Online-Casinos.ie